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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The movements of the Union army around Chancellorsville revealed General Joseph Hooker's intentions to surround and destroy the Confederate army. General Robert E. Lee, reading Hooker's intentions, removed the main body of his army from Fredericksburg.1

References:1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 232.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Beginning their advance on Monday the Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Corps crossed the Rappahannock River at Kelly's Ford twenty-seven miles from Fredericksburg this morning. The First and Third Divisions of the Second Corps reached the Rappahannock River at the United States Ford. The Twentieth Massachusetts, in the Second Division of the Second Corps under the command of General John Gibbon, remained in Falmouth as a diversion to the movements of the Union army.
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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Eighteen-year old Sumner Paine, great-grandson of Declaration of Independence signer Robert Treat Paine and cousin of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., was commissioned as a second lieutenant from civilian life.1

Friday, April 19, 2013

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward expressed the belief that the Army of the Potomac would be on the move again within a few days and that eight days rations were kept on hand in necessity of a quick movement. He relayed that they currently held a strong position along the Rappahannock River but was unsure if they would hold that position in favor of another. He mentioned that they may advance on Richmond by way of the Pamunkey River. He ended with high praise for General McClellan, whose popularity with the Army of the Potomac was still very strong. 1

Saturday, April 13, 2013

In an attempt to cut off Confederate General Robert E. Lee from Richmond Union Cavalry General George Stoneman began a movement around the left flank of the Confederate line. Stoneman's advance was impeded by severe rainstorms, and the cavalry was unable to cross the Rappahannock River for two weeks.1

Colonel Francis Palfrey, still suffering from severe wounds received at Antietam, resigned command of the Twentieth Massachusetts. Colonel Paul Revere, grandson of the famous midnight rider of April 18, 1775, was appointed by Massachusetts governor John Andrew as new commander. 1

Friday, April 5, 2013

Doctor Nathan Hayward reported sadly in a letter to his father that Captain Henry Abbott had gone home on leave due to the passing of his younger brother. He also mentioned that General Hooker had designated an insignia for each of the army corps to wear on the soldier’s hat. The insignia of the Second Corps was a trefoil; the Second Division, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts is a part, was assigned a white trefoil. It was hoped that the wearing of these insignia will identify the corps and division of every soldier immediately and avoid confusion during a conflict.
Doctor Hayward remarked that General Darius Couch commands the Second Corps, with General John Gibbon commanding the Second Division and Colonel Norman Hall securely commanding their brigade. He noted that the “sentiment of the army is very good, and that they still retain their old faith in McClellan.”1

Monday, April 1, 2013

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward expressed his pleasure at finding Colonel Nathan Hall in charge of the brigade when he returned from furlough. He lauded Hall as “ a great favorite, by far the best commander of the brigade that we have ever had, and socially is like one of ourselves. “ Doctor Hayward reported that the Twentieth is in fine shape, with clean uniforms and shiny rifles. The Twentieth engaged in meticulous attention to cleanliness and bathing, with excellent results. He noted that “the 20th never looked as well as they do now.”1

Captain Norwood Penrose Hallowell resigned his command with the Twentieth Massachusetts to assume the position of Lieutenant Colonel of the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. The Fifty-Forth Massachusetts was the first African-American regiment and would take a place in history in fame and honor.1

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This Civil War history blog is dedicated to the outstanding military service of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment and to the memory of my ancestor, Private Oliver Stanton Bates of Company A. Each blog post marks the 150th anniversary of the original event during the Civil War.